Cheltenham Racecourse will be shrouded in a sea of yellow on Friday for the launch of Tiggy’s Trust on day one of The International.
Tiggy’s Trust is a charitable foundation established in memory of Tiggy Hancock, a 15-year-old who died in a tragic accident during a training session at a Dublin equestrian center in June this year.
Race day will feature Tiggy’s Trust Novices Steeple Chase at 12:40 pm and a significant fundraising effort on the course. Over 700 guests were invited, including Sir AP McCoy, 20-time champion show jumping jockey, Olympic gold medalist Laura Collett and multiple Irish champion jockey Ruby Walsh.
Go to @CheltenhamRaces Friday? Don’t forget to wear something yellow in memory of Tiggy Hancock.
💛 His father, Frank, told Gary O’Brien more about @tiggystrust. And take a look here >>> https://t.co/eBkjbCuihU
?? #turncheltenhamyellow #yellowfortiggy pic.twitter.com/4rNJZ2eLYO
– Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 6, 2021
Tiggy’s favorite color, yellow, has been sported by riders around the world for the past six months to commemorate her short but inspiring life and Cheltenham will embrace this theme by ‘going yellow’ on this day.
Tiggy’s Trust will use the funds raised to help young people by offering mental health support through recognized organizations to those in need and also providing training and education to help young aspiring riders achieve their goals. .
A portion of the funds raised that day will also go to the Injured Jockeys Fund and the Pony Racing Authority, two organizations close to the heart and ethics of Tiggy’s family.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE ABOUT TIGGY’S TRUST
On the day in Cheltenham, Tiggy’s Trust will host a Champagne lunch in the exquisite bright yellow Tiggy’s tent, one of the day’s many fundraising initiatives.
The “Yellow Ribbon” tent will also host a large number of friends of Tiggy and the wider community who will come together to celebrate Tiggy’s life and support the event. The equestrian and racing personalities in attendance will participate in question-and-answer sessions and give race advice the same day. The day will end with a band performing some of Tiggy’s favorite songs in the Centaur Arena. A limited number of tables, tickets and flight packages are still available with details at: https://tiggystrust.com/#cheltenham
Two auctions are part of this fundraising event, the first an online auction which opened on December 1 and ends the same day. The second, a live same-day auction, will consist of a small number of exclusive ‘Money Can’t Buy’ items and will take place in Tiggy’s tent run by Tattersalls auctioneer Alastair Pim. A Tiggy’s Trust merchandise stand and information point will also be a hive of activity selling a variety of items and educating racing enthusiasts about Tiggy’s Trust goals.
We had the honor of yellowing Closutton for @tiggystrust ??
We can’t wait to see everyone @CheltenhamRaces this Friday #turncheltenhamyellow ??
Please support the wonderful online auction here: https://t.co/VkUkbSZbHJ
Auction closes at 8 p.m. this Sunday, December 12 pic.twitter.com/oqRuRaThRW
– Willie Mullins (@WillieMullinsNH) December 6, 2021
Tiggy’s family are incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement they have received to date and commented: “We are delighted to be hosted at Cheltenham Racecourse to launch Tiggy’s Trust in memory of our daughter and beloved sister. Tiggy touched the lives of so many in her short life – her heart of gold, her fun and infectious personality, and her cheeky smile were extended to everyone who knew her. Despite her young age, she had the ability to reach out and offer positivity to those around her, young and old, and through the Trust, we hope to continue this legacy. “
Ian Renton, Regional General Manager of Jockey Club Racetracks, said: “We are both honored and delighted to welcome Tiggy’s family and friends to Cheltenham and will do all we can to support the launch of this wonderful new Trust. in his memory. “
Lisa Hancock, CEO of the Injured Jockeys Fund, said: “We feel very privileged to play a small role in this project and look forward to supporting Tiggy’s Trust as it launches. We know that involvement with horses and ponies at a young age can foster a lifelong passion and increase the support available and improve accessibility is so important to us.
Clarissa Daly, CEO of the Pony Racing Authority, said: “We are delighted to be involved with Tiggy’s Trust and look forward to working with the Trust to ensure that Tiggy’s legacy continues. With the support of Tiggy’s Trust, we will be able to help young riders cope with the pressures they face and help them achieve the same high standards of sportsmanship and positivity that Tiggy experienced.
Key objectives of the Trust
Mental health initiatives
Tiggy was known for her exceptional sportsmanship.
Whether she wins or loses, she always takes it with a smile, she supports her competition and has a unique ability to focus on all that is positive.
Tiggy was truly a shining example to the other youngsters rejoicing in her gains but gracious and optimistic in the face of loss, allowing her to make the most of both good and bad days.
The trust aims to develop and nurture in the young equestrian community the same sense of positivity that Tiggy exuded.
🚨𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐀𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐌🚨
7 Grand Nationals✅
19 jockey champion titles✅
8 Children’s lucky day✅Champions all, @RubyWalsh https://twitter.com/DavyRussel? refsrc = twsrc% 5Etfw “> @DavyRussel @BarryJGeraghty @paulcarberry will spend a day with 8 very lucky children and will give lessons to the @RACEIreland pic.twitter.com/UNLrQfebd7
– Tiggy’s Confidence (@tiggystrust) December 8, 2021
Education and training programs
The Trust is keen to ensure that all aspiring young athletes have access to top-notch coaches and training facilities. Tiggy, as an elite athlete, has benefited greatly.
The trust will place particular emphasis on people who do not currently have access to these services.
The best international coaches who have been involved in Tiggy’s development as an elite athlete have already generously approached the Trust to offer their services.
Learn more about Tiggy and how you can support
Tiggy Hancock, died in a tragic riding accident in June 2021 at the age of 15, while training as a team for the European Eventing Pony Championships. She was from Co Carlow in Ireland, one of three daughters of Frank and Jane Hancock, both English who had been living in Ireland for a few years.
Tiggy was an extremely talented rider who had competed in the Horse of the Year Show every year in pony hunting lessons from the age of nine. She and her older sister Lucy were British Show Pony Society Burghley Gold Cup Reserve Champions and Champions in 2019. At 13, Tiggy was a member of Ireland’s bronze medalist team at the European Eventing Pony Championships .
She was a dedicated and determined rider who was destined to become a horse riding star. She was a great friend to many, always offering encouragement and support and was admired by those who did not know her personally.
Tables of 10 in Tiggy’s tent cost £ 2,950. This includes a light breakfast, lunch, tips from Sir AP McCoy and Ruby Walsh, and a live auction conducted by
Tattersalls Ireland auctioneer Alastair Pim. A limited number of tables are still available.
Please contact yello[email protected] or go to https://tiggystrust.com/#cheltenham
The Yellow Ribbon tent is a less formal option with food and drink so people can enjoy the race in comfort and mingle with the racing and eventing superstars, and be a part of the huge effort of fundraiser that takes place that day. Tickets for the YRT (including admission are available for £ 30 for adults and £ 13 for those under 18). For more details, visit https://tiggystrust.com/#cheltenham
Full travel packages from Ireland for Tiggy’s Tent and Yellow Ribbon Tent are available at https://tiggystrust.com/#cheltenham
Donations can be made through www.tiggystrust.com
